The Range Rover Sport is the most popular car of choice for the Premiership?s millionaire footballers. The luxury off-roader held its place at the top for the second year running ? fending off competition from German 4x4s the BMX X5 and Porsche Cayenne which came second and third respectively. Making up the top five in the list compiled by Nuts magazine are two British supercars with the Aston Martin DB9 the fourth most popular motor and Bentley Continental GT fifth.

Having already launched a bespoke audio system for the DBS in 2008, Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen went ahead and introduced the BeoSound DB9 which has been developed and designed exclusively as an option for both DB9 Coupe and Volante variants. Among the highlights of the new audio system are the thirteen speakers positioned in ten locations around the car including two 'submergible' twin acoustic lens speakers on both sides of the dashboard.

Aston Martin has released first official pictures of the of the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide saloon. The car bares strong resemblance to the Aston Martin Rapide Concept first shown in 2006 and is designed to compete with cars like the Porsche Panamera and the production version of the recently previewed Lamborghini Estoque Concept.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the most potent production sports car in the marque's 95-year history, will debut at the 2009 Geneva motor show on 3 March. Based on the hugely successful Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage will feature a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds. The latest incarnation of the Vantage family has been designed to provide a unique character, appealing to different driver tastes and complementing the other models in the current Aston Martin line-up. The original Aston Martin V12 Vantage concept was unveiled to guests at the opening of the Aston Martin Design Studio in December 2007. Continuing the marque's impressive record of bringing concepts through to production, Aston Martin engineers have brought the Aston Martin V12 Vantage to market in an incredible 12 months. Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive driving package; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling and everyday useable driving experience. "The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has a unique character, one unlike our other cars. This will appeal to different people with different tastes, allowing more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience. "This also illustrates one of Aston Martin's key strengths - the ability to act quickly and turn concepts and ideas into reality." Designed for the focused driver, every component of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. Benefitting from race-developed materials and components, and featuring lightweight carbon fibre; performance and agility have been tuned to perfection. Visually enticing, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage expresses its performance potential through its purposeful stance created by enhanced aerodynamic and cooling aids optically widening the car, while retaining traditional understated Aston Martin design. Equally inviting, the cosseting interior permits the driver to extract maximum performance ability from the car while also enjoying customary levels of Aston Martin comfort on longer journeys. High levels of power and torque are available at all engine speeds making the Aston Martin V12 Vantage responsive and tractable in any driving situation. The V12 Vantage will be built at Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire joining the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage model lines which are built in the state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship. Production will be limited up to 1,000 examples over the life span of the car, making the Aston Martin V12 Vantage a truly exclusive driver's car. Aston Martin V12 Vantage: Performance Agility and outright performance formed the basis of design for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage to produce the most exciting incarnation of the Vantage model line-up to date. Aston Martin's most powerful engine is fused with its most agile model to produce a truly exhilarating sports car. The V12 power plant has been intelligently packaged into the Vantage's compact form preserving its perfect proportions. While the external dimensions of the V8 Vantage remain unchanged, the internal front structure has been extensively revised forward of the suspension towers to house the larger engine, brake cooling system, and twin air intake system. The engine was designed at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and is hand-built at the company's dedicated engine facility in Cologne, Germany. To achieve the power output, the engine features a number of enhancements over the standard 6.0-litre V12 found in the DB9. These include a 'by-pass' engine air intake port that opens up at 5500 rpm, a revised induction system and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber to improve performance. The naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 hand-built engine produces 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS) at 6500 rpm and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque giving the driver access to high levels of power and torque at all engine speeds. Unique to the Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a 'Sport' button which allows the driver to choose between two powertrain modes. The default 'normal' provides a more progressive, throttle response, suited to more everyday situations, such as driving in urban areas, heavy traffic, or in challenging weather conditions. Selecting 'Sport' mode delivers a sharper throttle response together with a sportier exhaust note. This mode is designed for use in more dynamic driving situations where sharper responses are required, extracting the maximum performance from the car. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage benefits from Aston Martin's class leading all-alloy VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture: a lightweight bonded platform that provides outstanding strength, rigidity and weight benefits. Although the V12 engine weighs 100 kg more than the standard car's engine, intelligent use of lightweight materials and components including carbon ceramic brakes, lighter forged aluminium wheels, lightweight inner rear quarter panels and optional lightweight seats have resulted in the overall kerb weight being only 50 kg heavier than its V8 sibling. The ensuing weight distribution provides for balance that is near perfect (51:49). Exclusively available with a six-speed manual transmission, the gearbox uses a transaxle configuration to aid weight distribution. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage's final drive ratio has also been modified from 3.909:1 to 3.71:1. This allows the Vantage to take full benefit of the high torque levels delivered by the engine to provide both flexibility at lower engine speeds as well as a high top speed of 190 mph. For a car possessing such racing pedigree, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage surprises with its day to day usability. Featuring a luggage capacity of 300 litres and a traditional tailgate, coupled with ample stowage space to the rear of the seats, touring and trips away are made easy. Gear changes are light and precise requiring minimum effort from the driver and a longer final drive ratio extracts the most from the power and torque available to improve driveability. The communicative chassis provides comfort on long journeys and thrilling feedback with energetic driving.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage: Control Aston Martin is the only sports car manufacturer to offer a race car for every GT category. The DBR9 has enjoyed year-on-year success all over the world in the GT1 category including class wins at Le Mans two consecutive years running. Customer teams are consistently achieving podium finishes with the DBRS9 in GT3 while 2008 was a test and development year for the newly-launched Vantage GT2. The Vantage N24 achieved GT4 class wins all over Europe since its launch in 2006. Common to both road and race cars is the VH architecture platform upon which the Aston Martin V12 Vantage is based. Consisting of extruded, pressed and cast aluminium alloy, bonded together with aerospace-grade adhesive, the backbone of the car works collaboratively with the powertrain and suspension to create an exceptionally responsive driving experience. Near-perfect weight distribution is achieved with a transaxle-mounted gearbox which sees 85% of the car's weight lying between the front and rear axles. Aston Martin engineers have positioned the engine as far back and as low as possible in the car to contribute to the 51:49 weight distribution. Containing the weight within the Aston Martin V12 Vantage's wheelbase results in a low polar moment of inertia, creating a car which has a natural agility. Superb handling characteristics are at the heart of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage; the rear suspension has been modified, with a more compact dual-rate spring design, in order to accommodate a wider wheel and tyre combination, improving grip and traction. The ride height of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage has also been lowered by 15 mm, while the spring rates have been stiffened by 45% and the anti-roll bars are 15% (front) and 75% (rear) stiffer than the standard car. These measures serve to lower the car's centre of gravity and reduce the amount of roll experienced during cornering, further increasing the Aston Martin V12 Vantage's dynamic capabilities. Aston Martin V12 Vantage's diamond-turned 19" alloy wheels are manufactured using a forging process, saving a total of 5 kg, which reduces the overall weight of the car, as well as enhancing both ride and handling characteristics. The new 10 spoke wheels are clad with wider Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres which have been specifically designed for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage enabling it to generate the highest cornering forces of any Aston Martin; up to a peak of 1.3g is possible. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage comes as standard with Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes, providing immense stopping power. Benefitting from carbon fibre's inherent properties, CCM brakes are not only tougher than conventional cast iron discs but also dissipate heat more rapidly resulting in less fade during sustained dynamic driving. Air ducts positioned within the lower front grille feed air directly onto the discs to aid cooling and optimise braking performance. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage's CCM discs are 398 mm in diameter at the front and 360 mm at the rear while the brake callipers feature six pistons at the front, four at the rear and have a larger brake pad area compared to the V8 Vantage. The CCM brakes are some 12.5 kg lighter than conventional brakes reducing not only the overall weight of the car but also the unsprung mass specifically. This benefits ride and handling and lower rotational mass helps improve acceleration. In line with the character of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, a revised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system permits the driver, through three modes of operation, to manage how the system intervenes during more challenging driving situations. In default operation, the DSC is automatically switched on. Depressing the DSC button for two seconds selects 'track mode' which raises the manner and threshold at which the system intervenes allowing the driver to explore the limits of the car's considerable handling capabilities. Depressing the button for four seconds will switch off DSC completely. Aston Martin V12 Vantage: Design Based on the stunning V8 Vantage originally launched in 2005, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage subtly hints at its sporting intent with its controlled aggression and lower, purposeful stance. It is manufactured at Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire where all Aston Martins benefit from class leading levels of craftsmanship fused with cutting-edge technology. Avoiding purely cosmetic changes, each modified panel on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage has been altered to enhance the vehicle's dynamics. Knowledge gained from the N24 race car programme has led to body revisions designed to improve downforce while not increasing the drag coefficient of the car. Each form follows its functional requirements, while also contributing to stunning design - a revised front splitter channels cooling air to the brakes and to the radiator while also producing increased down force. Bonnet louvres remove heat from the engine bay and help increase front-end down force by limiting the built up air pressure under the bonnet. New side sills derived from the N24 race car channel air towards the rear of the car rather than under it, reducing rear-end lift. A more pronounced boot 'flip' and the new rear carbon fibre diffuser work in harmony with a redesigned rear under floor to channel air through the new high-capacity oil cooler and maintain an area of low pressure under the rear of the car producing increased down force and aiding grip. Complementing the taught exterior, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage's interior hints at the car's dynamic capabilities. The optional carbon fibre and Kevlar® composite seats cosset the driver providing support during spirited driving while remaining comfortable on long journeys. Saving 17 kg per car, the seats which are manufactured by a supplier to the motorsport and aviation industries are hand-trimmed by craftsmen at the Gaydon production facility. The interior of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage provides the ideal environment for the focused driver to extract the very best from every element of the car. The extensive use of high quality materials with exceptional attention to detail placed throughout the cabin results in an unparalleled level of finish. The instrument cluster has been revised with even clearer dials to allow the driver to completely focus on the information being relayed from the car. The door pulls are made from beautifully-prepared carbon fibre where even the carbon weave has been meticulously aligned - a sign of exceptional craftsmanship. Additional light weight materials in the form of Alcantara are used to save valuable weight throughout the cabin. The unique ambience of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage interior beautifully marries the functional requirements of a driver-focussed sports car with the comfort of an everyday practical car.

Aston Martin DBS Volante makes its debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon. Completing the Aston Martin DBS line-up, the new Volante will afford customers the combination of the DBS's already-established benchmark sports car characteristics with all the thrills of open-air motoring. Broadening the DBS's character, the Aston Martin DBS Volante will appeal to drivers who wish to combine the excitement of driving a finely-tuned sports car with the invigorating feeling of being open to the elements. This juxtaposition of ultimate performance and openness stirs the senses on any drive whether an exhilarating jaunt on favoured roads or cruising on lengthy journeys. 'Volante', meaning 'moving with light rapidity', perfectly defines the performance potential and the dynamic characteristics of the Aston Martin DBS Volante. Featuring a motorised retractable fabric roof, the DBS's beautiful profile is preserved whether up or down. When the roof is closed, it provides a warm comfortable ambience and when open, it neatly disappears behind the new tonneau cover at the touch of a button. Aston Martin's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "The Aston Martin DBS Volante delivers the utmost relaxed driving experience with the hood up or down. It combines engineering excellence with design perfection. "The Aston Martin DBS Volante offers a subtle mix of power and performance. Adding to this, the fine craftsmanship - it is an unparalleled ownership and driving experience." Conceived as a Volante from the outset, Aston Martin engineers opted for a fabric hood to closely follow the silhouette of the DBS coupe and due to its lightweight properties, minimise overall weight gain. Fully retractable in only 14 seconds and at up to speeds of 30 mph (48 km/h), the roof will automatically stow under the newly sculpted tonneau, maintaining the Aston Martin DBS Volante's perfect form - hood up or down. Power is provided by Aston Martin's hand-built all alloy 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.3 seconds. The nature of the V12, and in particular the torque available at all engine speeds, serves to provide effortless driving in all situations. Aston Martin's 16th convertible in 95 years, the Aston Martin DBS Volante draws on the marque's extensive experience in designing iconic 'Volantes' and is a 2+2 featuring two occasional rear seats, ideal for young people or extra luggage. In standard specification, the DBS has a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox, while an automatic six-speed 'Touchtronic' option is also available. As with the coupe, the Volante is offered with carbon ceramic brakes as standard providing exceptional stopping power. Benefitting from materials derived from the motorsport and aerospace industries, the bonnet, front wings and boot lid are made from carbon fibre all helping to reduce weight. The Aston Martin DBS Volante also comes with Bang & Olufsen's renowned 'BeoSound DBS' in-car entertainment system, featuring 13 speakers as standard equipment. The BeoSound DBS has been expertly tuned by Bang & Olufsen's Tonmeisters and Aston Martin's acoustic engineers specifically for the Volante resulting in a system that senses when the roof has been retracted and adjusts the sound stage to compensate for extra wind noise, providing an unrivalled automotive audio experience.

Design Although the DBS was originally conceived as a two-seater sports GT, the potential for a Volante version was always in the minds of the design team. Holding a purposeful stance, the muscular shapes and forms of the DBS have been retained exuding confidence. Aston Martin's 16th convertible, learning taken from the engineering of previous soft-top cars has resulted in the Aston Martin DBS Volante possessing Aston Martin's quietest and most refined roof system to date. When raised, the fabric roof is insulated with a layer of Thinsulate® material relieving cabin noise and protecting the inhabitants from the elements. The hydraulic pump has been cocooned in a noise and vibration enclosure reducing noise when raising and lowering the hood. The newly choreographed hood has resulted in an opening time of only 14 seconds due to a new five-piston hydraulic pump. The roof effortlessly stows below the newly-sculpted tonneau cover which has been redesigned to enhance the muscular attributes of the Aston Martin DBS Volante. Housing the Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS) which deploys two roll bars in the event of the car rolling over, the rear humps lead your eye to the new carbon fibre deck lid which has been re-styled for the Aston Martin DBS Volante. Particular to the DBS, a line flows from the leading edge of the bonnet past the elegantly sloped windscreen flowing into the carbon fibre deck lid and to the rear boot 'flip'. As with the DBS Coupe, the bonnet, front wings and boot lid are formed from carbon fibre. Preventing the weave protruding the paint finish, Aston Martin employs a patented 'surface veil' technology applying a 200 micron thick layer of epoxy glue to the carbon fibre, before the application of seven layers of paint producing a class A level of finish. The interior of the DBS represents the epitome of Aston Martin's commitment to using materials honestly, without disguise or embellishment. Lightweight materials are used throughout to save weight; door pulls are made from carbon fibre, for example, and the carpet has been woven with lighter fibres to save valuable kilograms. The Volante features 2+2 seating as standard. The beautifully leather trimmed rear seats are ideal for younger persons or extra luggage making the Aston Martin DBS Volante a practical everyday sports car. Delivered as standard with Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound DBS audio system and seamlessly integrated into the Aston Martin DBS Volante's bespoke interior, the system provides the driver and passengers with an unrivalled audio experience. Consisting of 13 individual speakers and Bang & Olufsen's unique Digital Signal Processing system, the system transforms the Aston Martin DBS Volante into an acoustically sophisticated venue, capable of conveying subtle and striking musical dynamics from every source. The BeoSound DBS has been specifically revised for the Aston Martin DBS Volante and senses when the roof is up or retracted and adjusts the sound stage to compensate for wind noise and change in acoustics. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS system has been developed exclusively for Aston Martin. The system is acoustically and physically matched to the Aston Martin DBS Volante, with a design that follows the inherent quality and material honesty of the Aston Martin interior. The loudspeaker grilles are finished with smoothly contoured aluminium so as to integrate seamlessly with the fluid lines and curves of the cabin. When the system is turned on, the twin acoustic lens speakers emerge silently and swiftly, adding a touch of theatre and technological panache that is the perfect complement to the Aston Martin DBS Volante. As with the coupe, the Volante affords customers the prospect of specifying the optional 10-spoke 20" forged aluminium lightweight wheel with diamond-turned surface - available in either silver or graphite finishes. With an overall unsprung mass reduction of 8 kg, the option aids enhanced handling, improved acceleration, and braking performance.

Performance The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the DBS's form and construction. The Aston Martin DBS Volante is powered by the same 6.0-litre V12 engine at the heart of the DBS which was launched in 2007. Producing 510 bhp (517 PS / 380 kW), peak power is delivered at 6500 rpm and the 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque is delivered at 5750 rpm. Tractable at any time, the DBS possesses a 'flat' torque curve providing 85% of the torque from 1500 rpm. The 3.71:1 (manual) and 3.46:1 (Touchtronic) final drive ratio assures that all the Aston Martin DBS Volante's power is useable, while also enhancing in-gear acceleration. Adding to the sonorous V12 enhances the aural soundtrack. Special by-pass valves in the exhaust allow a quieter exhaust note at low speeds; at 4000 rpm these open to reduce the pressure in the exhaust system, raising the power output as well as generating a rousing aural accompaniment. The Aston Martin DBS Volante is available as standard with a rear-mounted 6-speed manual gearbox with gear ratios optimised to extract the very best from the 6.0-litre engine. Providing customers with even greater personalisation capabilities, a 'Touchtronic' 6- speed automatic featuring a torque converter is also available as an option. Derived from the same ZF transaxle unit that was developed for the Aston Martin DB9, the system has been substantially re-engineered to accommodate the power and performance characteristics of the DBS. System functionality is consistent with that on the DB9, with 'Park', 'Reverse', 'Neutral' and 'Drive' modes selected via facia mounted controls. When in 'Drive' mode, pulling either of the leather-trimmed magnesium alloy paddles mounted on the steering column will activate Touchtronic mode, enabling the driver to control gear shifts via the paddles. Touchtronic mode is also accessible directly on engine start-up. Alternatively, the 'Drive' mode can be selected at any time by pressing the 'D' control on the centre console, engaging a fully automatic mode which will select the most appropriate gear for the speed and driving conditions automatically. The system also includes a 'Sport' mode - activated by a button on the centre console - which engages a more aggressive gear shift strategy as gear changes feel sharper and more forceful, engine speed matching on downshifts is more aggressive and in full automatic mode, upshifts occur at higher speeds. The Sport setting also incorporates a more responsive throttle map to match the high-performance characteristics of the Aston Martin DBS Volante.

Aston Martin One-77 technical showcase makes its debut the Geneva Auto Salon on 3 March 2009. Chassis no.1 will be on display as an exposé throughout the show detailing the quintessence of Aston Martin engineering and design expertise. The One-77 is Aston Martin's definitive sports car, one that epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail. A culmination of all the marque's know-how, the Aston Martin One-77 delivers effortless beauty guaranteed to stir the senses with performance potential eclipsing any previous Aston Martin. With the performance and durability phase of the Aston Martin One-77's intensive development programme soon to commence, the 79th Geneva Auto Salon provides the perfect stage on which to reveal the remarkable engineering, advanced technology and exotic materials that lie beneath the Aston Martin One-77's extraordinary exterior. For Aston Martin's Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, revealing the Aston Martin One-77's secrets is a proud moment: "Right from the very beginning of the project the vision for Aston Martin One-77 was very simple: It had to combine high-technology with hand-built craftsmanship, and demonstrate the unique capabilities and passion of our designers, engineers and technical partners. "Quite simply it had to be the ultimate expression of Aston Martin. As you can now see, we have achieved that goal in magnificent style." Chris Porritt, Aston Martin One-77 Programme Manager continued: "We wanted to create something that wows you as much when you see what's under the skin as the exterior styling itself. We started by identifying the most technologically exciting front-engined, rear-wheel drive cars in the world: those from the DTM race series. We then applied the principles and technology that feature heavily in their design and translated it to a road car application." Consequently the Aston Martin One-77's structural core is a lightweight and immensely rigid carbon fibre monocoque. Conceived and designed at Aston Martin's Gaydon HQ, the monocoque, or 'tub', has been built in partnership with Multimatic (MTC). As world leaders in carbon composite technology, advanced vehicle analysis and dynamic simulation, MTC brings unrivalled specialist capabilities to the exacting challenge of the Aston Martin One-77 programme. Employing the classic formula of double wishbones at each corner, the Aston Martin One-77 features inboard suspension front and rear, with pushrods employed to transfer vertical suspension movements to the horizontally mounted spring/damper units. A practice taken directly from racing car design, the main advantages of inboard suspension are a reduction in unsprung weight and the ability to package the suspension components more effectively. The dampers are fully adjustable and feature advanced Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology; a world-first for a road car application. These special valves are state-of-the-art even at the highest levels of motorsport, and use high-precision machined components to enable the shock-absorbing characteristics of the damper to be changed without having to remove them from the car, as is the norm. Underlining the truly bespoke nature of the Aston Martin One-77, once delivered to its owner, the car's suspension characteristics will be precisely set-up by Aston Martin engineers to suit their exact requirements, from settings suitable for the ultimate long-distance GT, to a machine capable of conquering the Nürburgring Nordschleife. While functionality and efficiency are paramount in the design and construction of the Aston Martin One-77, so too is aesthetic beauty. To this end every single component has been crafted from the finest materials with absolute attention to detail. From the mesmerising weave of the glossy carbon fibre tub and the abstract, sculptural beauty of the dry sump's oil reservoir, to the unerring precision of the billet machined aluminium suspension mounts, the Aston Martin One-77's rolling chassis is an automotive masterpiece. Of course the irony is that the vast majority of these exquisite components will be hidden from view in the finished car, yet each and every piece is a work of art in its own right. It's this extraordinary workmanship and money-no-object commitment to quality that makes the Aston Martin One-77 unique. Naturally, such a spectacular chassis demands - and gets - an equally exceptional drivetrain. It comes in the form of an immensely potent 7.3-litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine. Thanks to the adoption of a dry-sump oil system the engine is mounted 100mm lower than in any previous V12-engined Aston Martin road car, which helps keep the Aston Martin One-77's centre-of-gravity as low as possible. To further aid agility and endow the Aston Martin One-77 with progressive handling and stable, predictable on-limit behaviour, the engine is also mounted 257mm aft relative to the front wheel centreline. In so doing the front-mid-engined layout shared by all of Aston Martin's current road car range has been taken to a new level. The Aston Martin One-77's magnificent power unit is an extreme evolution of the 6.0-litre V12 engines fitted to the Aston Martin DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage models. Like the collaboration with MTC for the build of the chassis, Aston Martin has chosen a world-leading partner with which to develop the motor: legendary engine builders, Cosworth. It has proved to be the perfect collaboration, as Chris Porritt explains. "Our brief to the engine team was for them to take the 6.0-litre V12 as far as it could go, both in terms of output and weight reduction. The targets were a power output of no less than 700bhp with a 10 per cent reduction in engine mass. Incredibly, the Aston Martin and Cosworth engineers achieved a mass reduction of some 25 per cent, and although we've yet to complete the final engine calibration work, I'm confident we'll see in excess of 700bhp. It's an awesome accomplishment, but one that's typical of the One-77 project, for it has consistently brought out the very best in everyone involved." Wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) developed specifically for the Aston Martin One-77, all 700+bhp is transmitted to the road through the rear wheels via a new six-speed gearbox. Controlled via column-mounted paddles behind the steering wheel, this robotised sequential manual is a new generation of Aston Martin's familiar transmission. Though it is made specifically for the Aston Martin One-77 and features specially strengthened internals to cope with the tremendous power and torque, the lessons learned in its development will ultimately find their way into the company's series production models. It's a mark of the inherent capabilities of Aston Martin's acclaimed lightweight Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake technology that it has been used as the basis for the Aston Martin One-77's braking system. The internals of the callipers have been re-engineered to transmit less heat from the brake pads into the brake fluid, while the discs themselves have been developed to ensure the maximum possible contact area between the face of the disc and the brake pads for improved stopping power. Due to the Aston Martin One-77's increased performance, special attention has also been paid to brake cooling, as the brakes have less time to cool between bursts of acceleration. With a projected weight of 1,500kg the Aston Martin One-77 will occupy the very highest echelons of road car performance. Top speed is confidently predicted to be in excess of 200mph, with a 0-60mph time in approximately 3.5sec. Perhaps more importantly, thanks to the purity of a front-engined, rear-drive layout, the responsiveness and immense tractability of a naturally aspirated V12 and the low mass, high-rigidity properties of a carbon fibre chassis, the Aston Martin One-77 promises a driving experience of unrivalled intensity and excitement while representing the world's most desirable automotive art form.

Aston Martin is deadly serious about building production versions of its V12-engined Vantage RS concept, as these spy pictures of early production versions at the Nurburgring prove.

The car, which squeezes the DB9’s 6.0-litre, V12 engine into a V8 Vantage chassis, was revealed in experimental form last December as part of Aston’s launch of its new design studio at Gaydon.

Aston insiders say the car — driven exclusively by Autocar last month — will be an ultra low-volume project, but decisions are still being made about exactly how many cars to make. There are two ideas: to build about 100 ‘extreme’ units, related closely to the V8-powered N24 lightweight racer and only just road-legal, or to make 300-400 better trimmed and equipped versions, with slightly more compliant suspension and a little less engine power than the 600bhp race-bred unit in the prototype we tested.

The rarer option would be priced around £150,000; the more road-oriented option would cost between £135,000 and £140,000. Aston wants to have the Vantage RS on sale by the end of 2009, by which time new FIA GT race regulations may have been finalised to give the car a competition future as well. All in all, the fastest-ever Aston looking bound for a big future.

For 2009 Audi brings us more power and higher levels of performance with the new TTS model coupe and roadster. It is now even more fun and exciting to drive than the original TT.

The new iconic TTS is built to appeal to a young and dynamic group of consumers and the TTS represents the Audi brand’s advancement through technology in its very best form. The TFSI engine takes the two Audi technologies of gasoline direct injection and turbocharging and blends them to form a perfect partnership. Aside from its output of 265hp, it is its peak torque of 258lb.ft. which is constantly on tap between 2,500 and 5,000rpm, that makes the compact and lightweight 2.0 liter four-cylinder unit so impressive. Compared to last year’s engine, the 2.0 liter power unit has been reengineered and strengthened in a number of key areas.

The S-tronic 6-speed automatic is the only transmission available in the TTS and deploys two clutches, is capable of performing extremely quick gear shifts at high engine loads and rev speeds, and consequently, the time takes to spring from 0-60mph is cut to 4.9sec. in the coupe and 5.1sec. in the roadster. Loss-free transfer of power to the road is the task of the great standard quarttro permanent all-wheel drive that enables the TTS to accelerate quicker and with greater stability than its rivals. At the heart of this system is a hydraulic multi-plate clutch that works faster than ever thanks to a new pressure reservoir. Also enabling the new TTS to spring to 60mph so quickly is the ‘launch control’ system. With the engine running, briefly press the ESP button. the message ‘ASR off’ appears in the instrument cluster display. Then shift the gear lever into ‘S’ or the tiptronic position, then step on the brake pedal with your left foot and keep the brake pedal full depressed for at least one second. With your right foot, step on the acceleration to the wide open throttle position or Kickdown. The engine speed settles at about 3,00rpm. Then take your foot off the brake and it is hammer time as all four wheels rush you to 60mph in about 5sec.

The new TTS rolls off the production line equipped with yet another high-tech module-the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping system. This gives you the choice of two characteristic settings: Standard mode is designed for a well-balanced, comfortable ride, whereas in the Sport setting the TTS harnesses all of the potential of is sport suspension-which lowers the body by 10mm-to deliver uncompromising dynamic handling at high speeds on an open road, and incredible grip when cornering at high speeds.

Up front is a new gas-charged MacPherson strut setup with lower triangular wishbones, coil springs and a tubular anti-roll bar. The suspension is largely made of aluminum, thereby reducing the unsprung masses as you turn the steering wheel. With a view to increasing rigidity, the aluminum subframe is bolted to the body at six points.

The four-link rear suspension offers considerable benefits for vehicle handling, as it is capable of dealing with the longitudinal and lateral forces separately from one another. All of the links are made from high-strength grades of steel, while modified bearings emphasize the taut feel of the TTS. The coil springs and gas-charged shocks are fitted separately from one another, meaning that they take up little space. The rear also features a tubular stabilizer bar and is also attached to a subframe to eliminate any noise, vibration or harshness when driving. I felt more confident when cornering as I gained speed, the car just goes where you point it to go.

Helping you stay on course is the speed sensitive, high-precision rack & pinion power steering system that is driven electromechanically, a technology that improves feel for the road. At lower speeds the feel is light, especially when parking, but it quickly tightens up as you increase speed. I was impressed with the total driving dynamics of the new TTS.

Quickly and safely slowing the new dynamic top-of-the-line TTS model down from speed are high-performance and internally vented 4-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 13.5in. discs clamped with 6-piston calipers and 12.5in. discs clamped with 2-piston calipers in the rear. Inside the black-painted calipers, which bear the TTS emblem up front are sport brake pads. Also of note is that Audi has devised a second, sporty level for the ESP stabilization program which enables controlled drifting when you want the rear to get loose on steep turns.

This Audi generates non-stop fun at the wheel as it speeds around corners like a go-cart with absolute crispness and precision, seemingly glued to the road. Any body roll is suppressed from the moment it starts to turn. The steering becomes more responsive and direct, and selective bracing of the 18X9in. standard wheels make the self-steering more neutral. The standard 18in. wheels are wrapped high-performance 245/40ZR18in. tires.

The optional 19X9in. cast aluminum wheels were designed by Quattro and are wrapped with Continental Contac 255/35ZR18in. low-profile, high-performance tires with exceptional grip.

The superior performance of the TTS can be partly attributed to the technology of its bodywork, whose hybrid construction combines two different types of materials. Steel is used at the rear end, while the front and center sections of the body are built from lightweight aluminum.

Audi first developed this principle, known as the Audi Space Frame, in the early 1990’s, triggering a revolution in body manufacturing. Extruded sections, pressure die-castings and load-bearing aluminum panels together form a light, rigid and extremely safe structure.

The new TTS instantly stands out as the dynamic flagship of the TT model line. One of the design highlights is undoubtedly the headlights-newly designed bi-xenon units featuring a horizontal strip of white LEDs that serve as daylight running lights. The single-frame grille in a platinum gray finish is embellished with slender chrome strips, while larger air intakes in the restyled front apron add to the striking look.

When viewed in profile, it is not only the large 18in. wheels, 19in. wheels optional, that stand out; the widened, deeper door sills are equally eye-catching, as are the flared fenders with the wheels pulls out to the sides. A muscular rear bumper, unique, wraparound, taillights, a gray-colored diffuser trim, plus two sets of twin tailpipes protruding from the left and right inject the vehicle’s tail with a sporty character all of its own. The spoiler on the TTS extends automatically when the speed reaches 74.5mph and retracts again when speeds drop to 49.7mph.

The roadster features an electro-hydraulically operated soft top which opens and closes with one-touch luxury in about twelve seconds. The soft top incorporates a large glass rear window with defogger, and folds in a ‘Z’ shape. Neither a tonneau cover nor a cover flap is needed. Extra matting between the headlining and the outer skin improves insulation and noise restriction, and an electrically extending/retracting wind deflector shields your neck from drafts when the top is down.

Awaiting you inside are deep-set sport seats featuring heating and full power adjustment including lumbar and height adjustments. They come standard with leather/Alcantara seat covers in either black or black and silver, plus silver-colored contrast stitching. The sports seats are optionally available in Silk Nappa leather, one of the finest in the world.

The cockpit in the TTS is molded around you like a sleek-fitting suit. Its clean-cut, sporty design and uncompromising quality of construction is amazing and another Audi hallmark. Instruments with a gray background and white needles, metal pedals, aluminum trim panels, plus a multi-functional, leather sports steering wheel with a rim that’s flattened at the bottom adds further sporty cues plus it contains buttons for the audio system, mute, different mode functions, and the gear-changing paddles.

The driver information system with its new, high-resolution white display concentrates all important information where it can be clearly seen by you, and includes a timer function that is able to record lap times on race tracks. Mobile entertainment out on the road comes in the form of the chorus audio system with CD player. The roadster is also available with an optional load-through facility complete with removable ski bag for added practicality. The trunk is larger than I thought for a roadster, 8.83cu.ft. because the top folds into a ‘Z’ and takes up less room.

The new Audi TTS is a step up for Audi in the small, two-seat, high-performance sports car segment which includes the Porsche Boxster, Mazda Miata, Pontiac Solstice and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Audi keeps the edge with its outstanding handling ability from Quattro AWD and can hold up with an incredible interior. It is so much fun and exciting to drive, and costs less than the Porsche or M-B models.

COPYRIGHT:2009:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: MSRP $47,500

Type: Compact Convertible Where Built: Not Available EPA Class: Two Seaters

Aston Martin took the wraps off of the Aston Martin One-77 at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Lake Como this past weekend. Not only did the One-77 show up, but it won the top design prize at this prestigious event. Below we have a few live images of the Aston Martin One-77 and videos taken with a camera phone.

We wonder if will James Bonds new car after he seriously damaged the last two Aston Martin DBS’s in the two latest 007 films. I also wonder what the “One-77″ means or if it is any correlation to “007″?